The clinical differences between patients with pheochromocytoma with hypertension and those with normotension

Abstract Objective To explore the clinical differences between patients with pheochromocytoma with hypertension and those with normotension. In addition, we aimed to determine the risk factors associated with the development of hypertension. Methods All patients in West China Hospital undergoing surgical removal of pheochromocytoma (PHEO) were retrospectively analyzed to determine those with hypertension and normotension from 5 January 2009 to 19 July 2018. Preoperatively, demographic and clinical data were recorded and analyzed. Results Finally, there were 164 (31.3%) patients with normotension and 360 (68.7%) patients with hypertension. Older patients and those with longer courses of PHEO were more likely to develop hypertension. Patients with hypertension were less likely to have extra-adrenal PHEO. In addition, patients with hypertension had higher blood glucose levels and were more likely to develop diabetes. Similarly, the white blood cell (WBC) and blood platelet (PLT) counts of patients with hypertension were both higher than those of patients with normotension. Last but not least, the blood norepinephrine of patients with hypertension, which was positively associated with tumor size, was higher. Conclusions A total of 31.3% of PHEO patients might be with normotension. Older patients and those with longer courses of PHEO were more likely to present hypertension preoperatively. Patients with hypertension had higher blood norepinephrine and blood glucose levels. They were also more likely to develop diabetes.